2023 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards Finalists

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR (LARGE) FINALISTS

Founded in 1946, Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) provides the highest quality services for children and adults who are challenged with developmental, learning and emotional barriers – empowering them to reach their greatest potential. ECF’s clients include people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning/intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, emotional disturbances, speech and language impairments, or traumatic brain injuries. As a large, multi-service agency, ECF serves nearly 4,000 people with disabilities and their family members each year. The organization provides services for clients of all ages from 15 service sites, in clients’ homes, in community settings and remotely on a county wide scale. ECF is the only organization of its kind in California to provide a lifespan of services for people with developmental disabilities. In addition, ECF is committed to educating and encouraging the general public and legislators to integrate and include people with special needs in all aspects of community life.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been fighting hunger for 50 years, and continues to provide food and nutrition assistance to people all over Los Angeles County. With an estimated two million people struggling to consistently access nutritious food in LA County, the need for food assistance is high. Despite the improved local economy, the Food Bank and its network of partner agencies continue to provide essential support, with an average of 800,000 people receiving food assistance each month during 2022. Thanks to support from the community, the Food Bank’s total revenue increased significantly from $131 million in 2019 to $252 million in 2022. With more than 96% of all contributions going to programs, the Food Bank efficiently and effectively distributes food to those in need. In 2022, the Food Bank distributed 110 million pounds of food and other items, which is enough for 88 million meals.

As the largest provider of pediatric orthopedic care on the West Coast, Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) provides academic-level specialty care to all children, irrespective of their background and insurance status. Founded in 1911, it has served more than three million children worldwide. More than 95% of LuskinOIC’s patients are uninsured or underinsured, and 75% of them come from the Latinx and Black communities. In alliance with UCLA Health, LuskinOIC also provides all the pediatric orthopedic care for the entire UCLA Health System, including Mattel Children’s Hospital, seeing over 75,000 patients annually in two locations, its main campus in downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Through LuskinOIC’s various fundraising campaigns, the organization raised more than $10 million to establish its new Ambulatory Surgery Center and more than $20 million to open a state-of-the-art Urgent Care Center, Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center, Sports Medicine Center, and Scoliosis Center – all downtown.

Since 1980, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) has expressed its mission through its programs, which today include seven Ronald McDonald Houses in Bakersfield, Inland Empire, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, and the Westside of Los Angeles. RMHCSC operates two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange and CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital. The organization is developing a new Family Room in Ventura, at the Ventura County Medical Center, and a new House near the UCLA/Mattel Children’s Hospital on the Westside of Los Angeles. RMHCSC is one of the only Ronald McDonald House Charities chapters world-wide that operates a cost-free, medically-supervised Camp for children with cancer and their families, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. RMHCSC’s Family Support Services provides resources and counseling to families who stay at a Ronald McDonald House and/or attend Camp.

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR (MID-SIZE) FINALISTS

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) and the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) have been partnering to bring free and accessible services to the Library for more than 30 years. Los Angeles Public Libraries are powerful sources of trusted information that maintain vital resources for everyone. Both organizations have the understanding that libraries are bigger than a building and more than just books and work together to fundraise and advocate for neighborhood Library branches across the city. There is a wide range of programming at the Los Angeles Public Library, such as adult literacy, helping adults learn to read as well as helping new Angelenos master English; Career Online High School, a program that encourages busy adults who were not able to get their high school diploma the chance to graduate through an online program; and Teens Leading Change, which teaches teens in Los Angeles about civic engagement.

Olive Crest transforms the lives of children in crisis through the healing power of God, family, and community… “One Life At A Time.” The organization’s model of strengthening, equipping, and restoring children in crisis has proven to be extremely effective in stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect and empowering strong families to become healthy and productive in their communities. As a result, Olive Crest is leading the charge in redefining the way we care for and equip children in crisis, and in so doing, positioning the organization to exponentially increase its impact. In 2022 Olive Crest served 3,700 families. One of the biggest areas Los Angeles helps provide support in is prevention from children entering the foster system by inviting low income and vulnerable children to community events to provide support (Easter baskets, backpacks, Christmas, essential items).

CR Business Finance (PCR) is a 45-year organization dedicated to serving underserved small businesses with access to capital, training, and advising services in the Los Angeles area. PCR is a CDFI providing loans from $5,000 and up to $650,000 for working capital, inventory, and business expansion. PCR also hosts a Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Over the last three years, including the pandemic, PCR has helped 193 New Businesses get started, hosted nearly 573 workshops, and advised 4380 clients with one on one advising. PCR also operates the Business Interruption Fund for Metro to provide grants to businesses that have construction impact from rail construction. During the pandemic, it was clear that small businesses needed more assistance learning the language of money. PCR and the SBDC created “Financial Fitness” training options and collaborated with banks to improve the financial literacy of small businesses through workshops.

SoCal Grantmakers (SCG) is a community of philanthropists and grantmakers working to make a difference in local communities and around the world. Members include family, private, public, independent, community, and corporate foundations and corporate giving programs, individuals, and government agencies. 2023 is SCG’s 40th anniversary, and increasingly, it has been providing our community with cutting-edge learning opportunities, creating meaningful ways for members to connect with each other and collaborate, as well as advancing a bold agenda for an equitable Los Angeles. SCG has been curating learning opportunities to inspire investments in the narrative infrastructure needed to shift our country’s prevailing attitudes and mindsets around systemic injustice. In addition, recognizing that artists are key drivers of change, SCG provides arts and culture programming featuring artists and storytellers. SCG has also cultivated collaborative learning spaces that inspire actions needed to address complex systems of social, historical, civic, and institutional inequities.

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR (GROWING) FINALISTS

Founded in 1971, Brentwood Art Center’s (BAC’s) tradition has been the pursuit and achievement of high artistic standards. Since becoming a nonprofit 503(c)(3) organization in 2012, BAC has provided an arts education that encouraged creative self-expression and skill-building in a supportive environment. Throughout its history, BAC has been known for its exceptional pro-gramming in support of community, children, seniors, and veterans – and most recently a virtual place of support and solace from a pandemic-weary world. In 2020, during the pandemic, BAC gave up its beloved home of over 50 years and transitioned to online programming. Since then, its goal has been to secure a new physi-cal space devoted to creative self-expression. BAC recently announced that the Center has secured a new physical location where it once again began providing in-person pro-gramming beginning in March 2023.

Created in 1995 by the agency’s managing partners, CAA’s philanthropic arm is an integral part of its culture. The CAA Foundation activates popular culture to cre-ate sustainable social change by mobilizing timely initiatives and partnerships that create awareness and action. The Foundation has become a leader in the entertainment community on education, the environment, civic engagement, and social issues. The CAA Foundation empowers employees, companies, athletes, and artists to make a difference, be of service, and improve con-ditions in communities worldwide. Examples of the CAA Foundation’s work with clients include: F.C. Barcelona’s support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on behalf of their polio eradication initiative; Jennifer Garner’s work with Save the Children; amplifying the efforts of Sean Penn and his organization CORE Response; helping to launch the Social Change Fund United with NBA stars; and Andy Cohen’s partnership with the Family Equality Council.

The Get Together Foundation was founded in 2001 by Kevin and Mare Wachs. As a 100% volunteer-based family foundation, the Get Together Foundation has raised and disbursed over $664,000 in charitable contributions as of 2021. Fundraising efforts encompass benefit concerts, online telethons, charity drives, auctions, direct donations and more. Committed to action, GTF’s programs provide direct services – food, shelter, supplies, education, and other services – to children and families in need. This includes financial support for “bridge” (transitional) housing and mobile food delivery programs as well as a new daycare facility for families living in shelters. GTF extends its reach by partnering with other organizations to provide a greater continuum of care for the community. It operates on the premise that even if it can’t completely solve a problem, it can at least start moving the bar in the right direction.

Founded in 2001 with a cohort of only 36 children, Harmony Project began as a public health initiative that seeks to nurture the development of students through the study, practice, and performance of music. Today, it annually engages more than 3,500 underserved K-12 students residing in 19 historically marginalized communities located within Los Angeles County, including Altadena, Boyle Heights, Compton, Cren-shaw, Hawthorne, Hollywood, Koreatown, La Habra, Lawndale, Leimert Park, Lennox, Long Beach, Lynwood, Nickerson Gardens, Paramount, Pasadena, South Los Angeles, West Athens, and Wiseburn. Harmony Project’s innovative music education curriculum promotes the development of essential life skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and emotional maturity. In addition, Harmony Project has expanded its catalog of programs and services to include a wide array of academic resources and social support activities that encourage participat-ing students to become creative thinkers and confident learners capable of realizing their full potential.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Learning for Equity (L4E) is the education arm of Community Health Councils (CHC) and established as an accredited curriculum in 2018 by Pacific Oaks College. L4E delivers series of certificated courses that builds capacity at the grassroots (individuals and communities) and grass tops (philanthropist, admin officials, organizations, etc.) levels, to collaborate more effectively on initiatives designed to increase social equity to achieve community well-being. L4E methodologies are steeped in emancipatory action practices as well as methodologies related to CHC’s Model for Community and Social Change and other participatory approaches. All these models, theories and practices embody equitable and catalytic styles of working with communities, organizations, and individuals.

Mobility Management Partners (MMP) is a 501(c)3 social enterprise that provides travel training services and call center services in collaboration with Access Services, Inc. (ASI) for over ten years. The call center answers calls relating to MediCal and mobility management calls among other things. This effort has resulted in millions of dollars of savings to the ASI budget. Established in 2009 in response to a growing need for professional mobility management services, MMP seeks to employ the best and brightest professionals, coupled with the latest technologies and methodologies in the transportation and human services fields. MMP provides travel trading services to seniors and disabled citizens of Loa Angeles County under a contract with ASI. MMP’s vision is to see that all persons have access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation regardless of physical, intellectual or economic barriers that may hinder their ability to travel independently.

BUSINESS ANGEL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Arthur Greenberg has always said that members of the firm “do well by doing good.” This statement has become a core value of the firm, forming the basis of everything it does. One area in which this value is evident is in the firm’s corpo-rate social responsibility efforts. For one, throughout the year, Greenberg Glusker hosts a number of fundraisers. One of the biggest fundraisers it participates in, called Food From The Bar, takes place every spring. Each year, through activities like the firm’s “Pie a Partner” challenge and the Greenberg Glusker lip sync battles, the firm has raised about $10,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The firm also participates in Dress For Success’ annual “Your Hour, Her Power” fundraising campaign, in which the team members have the opportunity to donate an hour of pay to help support women in need who are pursuing economic advancement.

IPSY, the largest beauty membership in the world with a diverse community and self-expression at its core, has invested more than $75 million in Black and Latinx-owned brands to date. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IPSY strives to empower the local, young Latinx community. IPSY invests in approximately 250,000 products on average for each of the Black and Latinx brands the company partners with. IPSY provide two times the average brand exposure to amplify these brands, increasing customer awareness and engagement. It also created a $1 million fund for up-front investment in product sourcing in order to support those brands that wouldn’t be able to work with the organization if they needed to wait to be paid when goods are delivered. In addition, IPSY provides access to product development and introductions to supply chain resources to help these brands thrive.

OUTSTANDING COLLABORATION BETWEEN A BUSINESS AND A NONPROFIT FINALISTS

The Adopt-A-Center Program was founded in 1999 by Stacy D. Phillips and her former law firm, Phillips Lerner, when e saw the need to support and raise the public profile of Los Angeles-based non-profit organizations helping underserved children and families in significant and sometimes unexpected ways. When Lerner joined Blank Rome in 2016, firm leadership and colleagues embraced the Program and it became the Blank Rome Adopt-A-Center Program, continuing the legacy that Lerner began and the positive impact on the greater Los Angeles community. 2023 marks the 24th year of the Program, and the RFP for nonprofit partners has just been released. Blank Rome’s Adopt-A-Center Program annually selects, “adopts” and partners with an LA-based nonprofit organization helping underserved children and families. The goal is not only to raise funds for the organization – which the Program does, but to also tap the resources of Blank Rome and its people.

The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world’s largest nonprofit orga-nization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In 2022, the NPF launched fundraising walks in multiple cities across the U.S. to raise funds and awareness for the more than eight million Americans living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Dermavant, a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing innovative prescription therapies for dermatologic diseases, served as a national sponsor for and participant in this important initiative, demonstrating the company’s steadfast commitment to advancing innovative treatment options for patients with chronic skin conditions. Over 200 Dermavant employees participated in walks and fundraising efforts in six cities, including the Los Angeles NPF Walk in November. Together, Dermavant raised more than $21,000 for this important cause, supporting NPF’s vision of a life free from psoriatic disease and the burdens that come with it.

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Public Library have been partnering to bring free and accesible services to the Library for more than 30 years. Los Angeles Public Libraries are powerful sources of trusted information that maintain vital resources for everyone. There is a wide range of programming happening at the Los Angeles Public Library, such as Adult Literacy, helping adults learn to read as well as helping new Angelenos master English; Career Online High School, a program that encourages busy adults who were not able to get their high school diploma the chance to gradu-ate through an online program; and Teens Leading Change, which teaches teens in Los Angeles about civic engagement through projects that bring positive change to their communities like assisting seniors, creating hygiene packages for those experiencing homelessness, being active in local elec-tions, and more.

PCL Construction had a stellar United Way campaign this past year, raising a total of $265,940 through its employees generous contributions, 100% corporate match and various events. PCL had an amazing participation rate of 86% that included an average gift of over $600 with an incredible 61 individuals generously donating over $1000 to their employee giving campaign. PCL’s Giving Week theme was “100 Reasons We Give,” in support of United Way’s 100th year in LA. The campaign kicked off with a Townhall and a Burrito Breakfast with presentations. Other campaign events included a Golf Tournament, Leadership Breakfast for employees who contribute at the $1000 level, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auc-tion and a Family Football Viewing Party that included plenty of food, fun, and cama-raderie. It all added up to a phenomenal display of giving and generosity to United Way and the Los Angeles community.

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FINALISTS

More than nine million reside in Los Angeles County and many of these individuals are vulnerable, disenfranchised and don’t vote. In response, AltaMed Health Services launched a non-partisan campaign called “My Vote. My Health‚” or “Mi Voto, Mi Salud‚” launched to reach eligible voters in a culturally competent way to improve civic participation and voter turnout in underrepresented areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties. AltaMed’s goal is to engage and empower its patients and employees to participate in local, state, and federal elections to shape policies that affect their communities and have a voice in the political process. Turning its clinics into civic engagement hubs, from front office staff to nurses and doctors, AltaMed employees were trained to ask patients about their civic health. Staff had education materials about upcoming elections in English and Spanish to inform its patients about ballot initiatives that could impact their communities.

When Armanino was founded in 1969, its founding partners emphasized the need for remaining grounded in the community it served. The firm’s commitment to social responsibility touches everything from how it serves the communities it works in to how it operates internally with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Beginning in 2009, for one day each year, partners and employees at the firm close their offices and spend a day of service working on large projects for local nonprofit organizations that require more resources than they normally have. Whether that’s landscaping or decommissioning and scrap-ping computer hardware or even serving food at a soup kitchen, Armanino’s team enthusiastically steps up to get the work done. In 2022, employees volunteered over 15,000 hours of service to more than 100 charitable causes and nonprofit organizations from coast to coast – including more than a half dozen in Southern California.

Giving back to the communities they are honored to serve has been part of the Farmers & Merchants Bank (F&M ank) business model since the beginning. In 2022, F&M Bank provided over $4.6 Million in community support to more than 680 organizations across Southern California. From financial support and in-kind donations to access to grant funding, F&M Bank strives to provide support where it is needed. The mission of the F&M Bank Founda-tion is to support and enhance the communities it serves by providing philanthropic support to qualifying organizations who provide impactful community benefits in the areas of faith-based initiatives, education, healthcare, human services, and the arts. In 2022, the F&M Bank Foundation distributed $388,508 to 52 deserving recipients in the impact area of human services. Employees were given the opportunity to vote for the organization of their choice to receive the greatest share of the $70,000 award funds.

Technology is an essential part of everyday life for people around the world, and yet the “digital divide” – the gap between those with affordable access, skills, and abil-ity to thrive in the digital world and those without – continues to persist, leaving many in the dark. Within Los Angeles County, 365,000 households are on the wrong side of the digital divide. For over a decade, Ver-izon has dedicated its resources, including networks and talent, in an effort to bridge this divide and ensure citizens of the Los Angeles surrounding area have the tools they need in order to succeed in today’s increasingly digital economy. As a leader in technology and communi-cations services, Verizon has made community-driven corporate social responsibility a core business priority. Last year, the com-pany doubled down on this commitment, creating more opportunities for students, small business owners, rural communities, and others disproportionately lacking tech access and skills.

FUNDRAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

In December 2021, Greater Los Angeles Area Council held its annual Good Character Gala – the first gala to return to in-person after the pandemic. The Gala honored Jim Ellis, former dean of USC Marshall School of Business, for his significant contribution to young people in our community. The event raised nearly $1.2 million – the most successful gala in history – which will be utilized to deliver an affordable Scouting program to local youth. Greater Los Angeles Scouting serves 10,000 local youth – both boys and girls – through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring programs. Greater LA Scouting strives to deliver high-quality programs that are affordable and accessible to any youth that wish to join regardless of background or socioeco-nomic status. Through its work, Greater LA Scouting empowers young people to live confident, capable, and compassionate lives through its leadership programs and outdoor adventures.

Held Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, at the historic Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, the Law Rocks rock concert fundraiser set a new record for Law Rocks last year with over $228,000 raised. Over two nights, the energy at the Whisky was electric as friends, colleagues, and family of legal professionals-turned-rock stars took the stage to rock out for charity. An extremely popular aspect of Law Rocks events is that each band selects a local nonprofit they are passionate about as a beneficiary. Representatives from each Los Angeles nonprofit took the stage and shared a bit about their mission before introducing the band! The night raised funds for amazing nonprofits including LA organizations City of Hope, Los Angeles County Bar Association Counsel for Justice, LA Family Housing, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Olive Crest, and United Friends of the Children.

Race For The Rescues’ unique, 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill organization once again rolled up its sleeves for its 17th annual event to help eliminate animal suffering and euthanasia in Los Angeles. In 2022, it united 18 local non-profit animal welfare groups to raise over $300,000 for important programs such as: rescuing and rehoming dogs, cats, horses and farm animals; providing critical resources to senior, veteran, low income and pet owners experiencing homelessness to keep their pets during times of crisis; community pet pantries; free spay/neuter; trap/neuter return for community cats; and education to at-risk youth through the training of shelter dogs. The participating organizations depend on the funds from the annual Race for the Rescues event to help keep their doors open to animals in need and help the most vulnerable pet owners in Los Angeles. Race For The Rescues also develops leadership skills for local organizations.

The Water Buffalo Club (WBC) is a local nonprofit that was founded back in 1989. Since inception, the WBC has been working hard to help underserved children in need across greater Los Angeles. Annually the WBC hosts local Thanksgiving Meal Give, where Club members and supporters gather the day before Thanks-giving, and drive rental trucks to various locations throughout LA and pack and distribute fresh turkeys, rolls, pumpkin pies, veggies, salad, and stuffing etc. Each family receives food for 10. WBC leadership knew that families in need desired the flexibility to purchase the items that they most needed, such as diapers, milk, bread, ground beef, and pasta etc. In 2021 the WBC proudly accomplished its goal of helping 2000 families. In three calendar years, it was able to double its impact and help 2000 families across Los Angeles.

MOST INNOVATIVE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FINALISTS

The mission of the Call of Duty Endowment is to help US and UK veterans find high-quality employment after military service, and to raise awareness of the value veterans bring to the workplace. To accomplish its mission, the Endowment funds the highest performing nonprofits in the US and UK that place vets into careers. Activision’s goal since inception has been to place 100,000 veterans into great jobs by 2024. This past May, Activision met that goal earlier than expected and celebrated with the #CODVeteruns100K campaign. To celebrate the occasion and highlight future goals, the Endowment launched the first-ever charity run inside a video game, called Call of Duty Veteruns. To bring #CODVeteruns100K to life, Activision challenged players to virtually run 100 KM inside of Call of Duty Warzone. Activision allocated $1 for every 10 KM run in-game as part of a $1 million total donation.

The Speak UP Empowerment Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to resources, training and support for female-headed single-parent families in the Greater Long Beach Area & surrounding communities. SUEF’s president, Robbie Butler wanted to conceptually share critical wisdom and tools to build a support network and help single moms gain and maintain the confidence and courage needed to pursue their dreams. Her “Single Mom” book was an attempt to do that. In response, SUEF’s advisory board developed the inaugural Ms. Single Mom Empowerment Forum event in April 2016. Then, Butler partnered with Sullivan International, Inc. and Long Beach Community League to host this innovative and free to attend community celebration. This cutting-edge program is an avenue for us all to make an impact on lives that are otherwise often overlooked or brushed to the side.

Ballin’ For Peace – the New Social Workers is a vital and unique 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in 1986 with a mission to provide at-risk youth with an alternative to gangs and violence by promoting involvement in extracurricular activities. The services are targeted toward youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 25 and offered in Los Angeles Coun-ty and the surrounding areas. Ballin’ For Peace provides positive programs and services to at-risk youth. Its mission is to provide at-risk youth with an alternative to gangs and violence by promoting involvement in extracurricular activities. The team is committed to pro-viding positive outreach programs, such as basketball entertainment, workshops, educational information, health care services, and community events. The aim is to make communities safer, focusing on age groups 10 to 25, all cultures, and ethnicities.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR (LARGE) FINALISTS

DR. LORI BETTISON-VARGA
Natural History Museum of LA

Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga has led the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County since 2015. She oversees the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. A passionate educator, Dr. Bettison-Varga aims to connect visitors and the public to science, nature, culture, and history both inside and beyond the Museums’ walls. She is currently leading transformative expansion projects to advance research and public education in urban nature and climate science. These include NHM Commons, a new wing and community hub, and the reimagining of La Brea Tar Pits, the richest paleontological site on Earth, where visitors can connect discoveries from Ice Age Los Angeles to today’s rapidly changing planet.

KEVIN MURRAY
Weingart Center Association

Senator Kevin Murray (Ret.) is the president & CEO of Weingart Center Association. Towards advancing its mission to empower and transform lives by delivering innovative solutions to break the cycle of homelessness, for 39 years Weingart Center Association has helped its clients overcome obstacles such as poverty, mental illness, addiction, or a criminal record to stabilize their lives and move forward on the path to permanent housing. Since becoming president & CEO in 2011, Senator Murray has leveraged his expe-rience in both business and government to transform Weingart Center Association from a single site focusing on shelter and crisis services in Skid Row to a multi-community provider that currently operates six interim housing sites throughout Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood.

MICHAEL OLENICK
Child Care Resource Center

Adedicated advocate of child, family and community wellbeing, Dr. Michael Olenick has advanced the issues of our most vulnerable populations while ensuring the needs of the agency’s burgeoning staff of over 1,000 employees are prioritized. Throughout the pandemic, Olenick galvanized staff and community partners to quickly and efficiently pinpoint and address the acute needs of families and child care providers. In addition to enrolling thousands of children of essential workers in emergency child care, he directed the disbursement of aid to families in the form of food, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, educational materi-als, diapers and more. Post-pandemic, Olenick has only increased his efforts to drive new resources to families.

MARTINE SINGER
Children’s Institute

Martine Singer, president & CEO of Children’s Institute (CII), since joining the organization in November 2016, has transformed the agency from a $66 million service provider budget to $103 million organization, serving 30,000 children and their families across Los Angeles. Among her accomplishments, she is finalizing a new 20,000 sq. ft. Watts Campus, designed pro-bono by Frank Gehry. Navigating construction during the pandemic, the center opened in June 2022 to provide a convening space for local residents and local community organizations to collaborate to provide resources and programming to Watts families. Also due to her leadership, CII’s early childhood education programs have expanded in geography to serve new commu-nities in LA County, including an expansion project into Compton.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR (MID-SIZE) FINALISTS

TOM BAGAMANE
The Giving Spirit

Tom Bagamane founded The Giving Spirit in 1999 and has led as CEO during con-tinued growth and service to the region’s unsheltered communities. Bagamane has spent years mobilizing stakeholders using powerful storytelling and data to provide a holistic platform for the “first mile of care and learning” in support of our unhoused neighbors. Bagamane develops effective solu-tions which mobilizes communities to create a movement to support the unsheltered and the neighborhoods they share. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience in venture capital, private equity, and owner-financed consumer product companies, Bagamane used his diverse set of corporate skills to expand The Giving Spirit from a neighborhood initiative into a well-respected organization serving thousands each year.

Stephen Cheung recently took the helm as CEO at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), one of the country’s most influential economic development organizations. With a demonstrated history of working in the international trade and develop-ment industry, Cheung is already growing LAEDC’s 40 plus years of work as Southern California’s most trusted voice and convener of stakeholders committed to envisioning and implementing inclusive economic growth strategies for the region. Cheung has been laser focused on growing the economy in the region in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cheung always saw the power of economic development and how that could transform the lives of those who have been left behind or left without resources.

CHRISTOPHER CLINTON CONWAY
Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research

Christopher Clinton Conway exemplifies excellence in a nonprofit CEO. He’s focused on the numbers, which matters deeply at a nonprofit, but more than that he focuses his talents on the mission of the Foundation. Without his vision and dedication to the mission, the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research would not have experienced the growth (in brand recognition, financial, and social media) and expansive reach it has since his arrival at the Foundation. As Dr. Susan Love Foundation’s CEO, Conway leads by example and recognizes talent within the organization and seeks opportunities for individual growth as well as company growth.

SHERRI FRANCOIS
SoLa Impact / The SoLa Foundation

SoLa Impact’s Sherri Francois was instrumental in securing, fostering and excelling as a partner to Riot Games. Riot Games partnered with SoLa Impact to help fund the build out of the 13,000 sq. ft. Tech Center in South Los Angeles, a first of its kind, state-of-the-art center that provides free technology education to 1,000 students annually. Thanks to Francois’ vision, the community of South L.A. has incredible space for innovation, creativity, and opportunities that those before them did not. Thanks to SoLa Impact, over 1,000 Black and brown students annually not only have access to state of the art technology but have opportunities, programs and tools necessary to excel in STEM and hopefully one day pursue it as a career. The immense impact that this center is already having can be seen in every Tech Center student.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR (GROWING) FINALISTS

VICTORIAH BECH
Starts With One Today

Victoriah Bech started Starts With One Today with only three other volunteers on the corner of 5th and Towne in Skid Row, Los Angeles. She gave out food, water, and some clothes. Fast forward to two years later, she has not missed one Sunday yet, as each week from 8:30a-11:00 she serves the Skid Row community. Through Bech’s networking and influence she was able to come to an agreement with Whole Foods as the main donor each week and they provide all the fresh produce, pre-made meals, meat, eggs, milk, salads, bread, desserts, and more. She got a cotton donor to provide pallets of shirts, hoodies and shirts. She also got a van donated for transportation. In the past two years, Bech and her team of volunteers have served 104 Sundays, has had 576 volunteers serve along with her, and served over 41,400 people.

CONNIE CASILLAS, MD
Alliance in Mentorship / MiMento

Dr. Connie Casillas works tirelessly on behalf of the MiMentor students she mentors, on behalf of her patients (she is a full-time practicing doctor), and on behalf of the Alliance in Mentorship Board of Directors, as president/CEO, the founding entity of MiMentor. She has single-handed-ly developed partnerships with clinics and healthcare providers across California, particularly in Los Angeles, enabling MiMentor to launch two new health equity programs this year – a paid Health Equity Fellowship program (five fellows/year for five years) and a paid Health Equity Summer Internship pro-gram (20 summer interns/year for five years). Not only did Dr. Casillas solidify all of the partnerships, she was also the primary driver of being awarded the HCAI grant that is helping to fund these two new MiMentor programs.

CRAIG MITCHELL
Skid Row Running Club

Judge Craig J. Mitchell is a humanitarian who has personally raised hundreds of thousands of dollars (along with contributing his own money) to allow members of his non-profit to benefit from and participate in events they otherwise could not afford as well as to experience things they could never have dreamed of. Judge Mitchell, president and founder of the Skid Row Running Club, had an idea of bringing the benefits of running to residents of the Midnight Mission located in Down-town Los Angeles’ Skid Row. What started in 2012 with two or three runners has now grown to 40-50 plus regular weekday runners. The Club consists of those in recovery from drugs and alcohol, the formerly homeless and incarcerated, as well as mentors made up of attorneys, business people, LAPD, medical professionals and others.

CAROL ROSENSTEIN
Music Mends Minds

Music Mends Minds (MMM) is a non-profit that creates musical support groups and bands for patients with Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD. MMM was founded in 2014 by Carol Rosenstein as a way to help her husband Irwin, struggling with Parkinson’s and dementia. After years of watching him slip away, Rosenstein enrolled Irwin in the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patient Care Program. While he was playing piano for parents and students in the program it became clear that the music empowered him with awareness, responsiveness, confidence and happiness. This inspired Rosenstein to start a band to help others with neurodegenerative diseases and The 5th Dementia was born. This year, 62 Rotary clubs have committed to creating music ensembles.

PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

TOM CORBY
Erwin Rautenberg Foundation

om Corby is a prolific philanthropist who has made a profound impact in our community through his tireless efforts and generous contributions as president of the Erwin Rautenberg Foundation. For the past decade, Corby, working in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, has distributed more than $15 million to the community through the Rautenberg Foundation. Corby has supported hundreds of scholarships for college students, college preparation for underserved youth, job training for people with disabilities, care and support for Holocaust survivors and the aging, and women’s health initiatives through Cedars-Sinai. Most recently, in response to growing antisemitism, he made significant gifts to the expansion and renovation of the Holocaust Museum LA and supported research by the Anti-Defamation League. Also, in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Corby made emergency grants to support Jewish seniors caught in the war zone who were unable to flee the country.

RICK POWELL
Retired

For over 33 years, Rick Powell has been a remarkable JVS SoCal volunteer advocate, ambassador, master fundraiser, former board chair, Development Committee member, honoree, Executive Committee member, chair of the Ambassador Board, Scholarship Committee member and major donor – and this year’s event chair for JVS SoCal’s 24th Annual Strictly Busi-ness Awards Dinner. Powell co-chaired a two-year, $5 million capital campaign in recognition of JVS SoCal’s 90th anniver-sary. In addition to Powell and his wife Debbie’s own significant giving, with his leadership, the campaign more than doubled its 2022 goal by raising an impressive $10.4 million. Powell continues to open doors of opportunity to prospective donors, foundations, board members, employers for clients, corporate sponsors for events, volunteers and more. In addition to his commitment to JVS SoCal, Powell plays a major fund-raising role at Concern Foundation, Wilshire Blvd. Temple, Cedars-Sinai and City of Hope, among others.

BUSINESS ANGEL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

KEITH DRAKE
Torrey Pines Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank

Keith Drake has dedicated much of his more than 30 years in banking to using his financial acumen to help local community organizations in and around Los Angeles that nurture and inspire underserved youth and facilitate access to capital for small business owners in low- and moderate-income areas. As a successful business banker, Drake has guided numerous nonprofit organizations in establishing simple, successful financial and fundraising strategies that their leadership can easily embrace. And just as he has excelled in his professional life‚ Drake has excelled in his volunteer efforts, leading organizations to incredible growth. As a Board member or volunteer chair, Drake gravitates toward roles involving finances and fundraising, where he can harness his passion for effecting change and inspiring donations. Over the past 30 years, Drake has focused his intensive community support on organizations he wholeheartedly believes in and where he can make a significant impact.

LAURA MCHOLM
NorthStar Moving Company

NorthStar Moving Company’s Laura McHolm met Claire in 2011 when Clare was just 13 years old. McHolm was answering Claire’s heartfelt wish to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was immediately moved by Claire’s magical, powerful outlook and insightful positive message. Since that first encounter, McHolm has been inspired to shine a spotlight on Claire and to help build the Claire’s Place foundation. Soon, McHolm was elected to the Claire’s Place founding board and continues to serve as chairman of the board of directors today. Over the past decade, McHolm and her marketing team at NorthStar Moving have donated thou-sands of hours and their expertise to Claire’s Place. From biweekly calls to helping to create annual fundraisers, campaigns and promoting ground-breaking films such as “Claire‚” the documentary, McHolm and her marketing team demonstrate daily that Claire’s Place is a part of their daily responsibilities, giving their work meaning.

SCOTT PANKSY
Allison+Partners

For 22 years and counting, Allison+Partners co-founder Scott Pansky has been and remains a strong advocate for mentorship and education within the City of Los Angeles and beyond. Pansky has been an active member of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for 13 years, serving as its ambassador to the Los Ange-les Unified School District – sitting on his fourth term on LAUSD’s Citizens Bond Oversight Com-mittee, now serving on its executive committee. As a leading “business angel” who nonprofits trust to help turn inspiration into action, corpora-tions also rely on Pansky to identify social impact partners and help build the foundations for long-term cause-related campaigns that can ignite their employee base, partners and customers to donate or support volunteerism campaigns. Balancing big ideas with pragmatism, Pansky leads California-based marketing and communications agency, Allison+Partners’ Social Impact group.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

KEVIN DALEY
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Kevin Daley has made a significant impact on the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as a volunteer. By contributing over 322 hours of volunteer work and participating in more than 96 events, Daley has helped the organization to glean, sort, package, and distribute food to those in need throughout LA County. In addition, as a volunteer leader, Daley has trained and mentored over 60 other volunteers, helping to build the capacity of the organization and ensure that it can con-tinue to meet the needs of the community. Daley’s work with the Food Bank has had a direct impact on the local community. By leading the distribution of fresh produce at Obregon Park in East Los Angeles, he has helped to ensure that families and individuals in need have access to healthy food options.

DENISE GUTCHES
Girl Scouts of Greater LA

Elected to Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles’ (GSGLA’s) Board of Directors in April 2019 for a three-year term, Denise Gutches’ leadership was immediately recognized when she was nominated and elected as a vice chair of the Board in 2020 after just one year as a director. She accepted the role of GSGLA inter-im board chair in 2022 when the previous board chair resigned. Gutches has served as chair of GSGLA’s Audit Committee for the past several years and under her leadership has taken the work of the committee to a new level. She has led GSGLA’s enterprise risk management initiatives, oversight of governance policies, insurance coverages, as well as cybersecurity initiatives. In addition to her contributions to GSGLA, Gutches has volunteered her expertise to many other organizations.

RAINERIO QUINTANA
HED

Upon receiving his drafting certificate in 1987, Rainerio Quintana worked his way from a CAD lab training assistant into a design role. Along the way, he noticed the limited ethnic and socioeconomic diversity within the architectural field and sought to mentor others to increase the pool of qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds. To increase diversity within the field, Quintana believes dedicated outreach and accessibility is critical to supporting the next generation of architects and ensuring all voices are included in the design process. Quintana’s numerous contributions to the Los Angeles community and local architectural industry include playing a critical role in informing children from underserved communities about the opportunities within architecture, so that these career paths are accessible to all.

 

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